Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Harden to visit shoulder specialist — Cubs await word before deciding on option year — Rich Harden will see a shoulder specialist before the Cubs have to make a decision Wednesday on his $7 million option. — General manager Jim Hendry said Harden would be examined Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday.
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Marmol injured in car accident; surgery possible for Harden — The Cubs were assured by Carlos Marmol's agent Tuesday that their All-Star pitcher was fine after being involved in a car accident early Tuesday morning in the Dominican Republic. — According to an Associated Press report …
Ross Newhan / Los Angeles Times:
Don Mattingly is a big hit with the Dodgers — Batting coach, one of the great hitters in New York Yankees history, has been integral in L.A.¡¦s late-season offensive resurgence. — The offensive awakening of the Dodgers can be labeled a 3-M production: Manny, Mattingly and Maturity.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
McCarver: In Boston, Manny's act was ‘despicable’ — Manny Ramirez has been nearly unstoppable since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 1. Tim McCarver, who will call the National League Championship Series on Fox television, is among those who have noticed.
David Murphy / Philly.com:Phillies Notebook: Seanez could take Happ's place on Phillies' NLCS roster
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yanks decide against a Stadium swan song — Yankee Stadium is officially closed for business. — A Nov. 9 concert was proposed as a final farewell for the House That Ruth Built, but the Yankees, fearing a less-than-memorable lineup, have bagged the celebration.
Discussion:
NJ.com, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bronx Banter, Yankee Stadium Insider Blog and Scott Proctor's Arm
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Garett Sloane / AM New York:
Yankee Stadium goes out on a whimper as planned finale axed — Fan cheers during a game at Yankee Stadium. (amNewYork photo/ RJ Mickelson / September 17, 2008) — The Yankees have scratched plans to host one final farewell to the stadium, disappointing New Yorkers who were counting on a last visit to the House that Ruth Built.
David Chalk / Bugs & Cranks:
The 2008 Red Sox As Bond Villains — From Gary Shelton of The St. Pete Times (via Deadspin): … I know what you're thinking. And faster than you can say “Muppet Part One, Muppet Part Two,” I'm on it.... In fact, I've got the entire Sox 25-man playoff roster, the manager and three bonus Sox.
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Zimmer the ultimate common denominator — He's always there in the Red Sox October photos - shaking hands with Carlton Fisk as Fisk rounds third after the midnight moonshot off the left-field foul pole; standing in the dugout hanging his head when Bucky Dent hits the pop-fly homer into the net …
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Pedroia snapped out of it at key time — If there was anyone left who didn't believe Dustin Pedroia would somehow, some way break out of his postseason slump, that person clearly hasn't been paying enough attention to the Red Sox second baseman. On the heels of his 213-hit …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
RELATED:
Billy Witz / New York Times:Ex-Leading Men Are Now Acting as Bit Players
Discussion:
LA Times Sports Blog
ESPN.com:
Report: Japan to ban amateurs from going to MLB — Established Japanese professional players have been coming to Major League Baseball for several years. However, Japan's 12 pro baseball teams are trying to make it so the country's amateur players don't follow suit.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
George Kissell: 1920-2008 — February 23, 2005 — Cardinals instructor George Kissell addresses the team after the unveiling of a plaque recognizing Kissell's longtime dedication during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (CHRIS LEE/P-D) — Early one morning several years ago …
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Rotation set; Matsuzaka to pitch Game 1 — Terry Francona announced the Red Sox ALCS at a press conference: — Game 1: Daisuke Matsuzaka — Game 2: Josh Beckett — Game 3: Jon Lester — Game 4: Tim Wakefield — Game 5*: Daisuke Matsuzaka — Game 6*: Josh Beckett — Game 7*: Jon Lester
Discussion:
The Bottom Line
Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
Mariners to begin GM interviews — The Mariners, jump-starting the process of hiring a general manager, will interview five candidates this week, according to industry sources... The Mariners, jump-starting the process of hiring a general manager, will interview five candidates this week, according to industry sources.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
NLCS: Dodgers Versus Phillies — 17.0 (1st) — This series matches the strength of the Phillies lineup, their power, against the strength of the Dodgers pitching staff, their ability to prevent home runs. Against the Brewers the Phillies lineup lived up to their season stats.
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
